Channel Master CM-7000PAL Digital Video Recorder, Black
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 List Price: $349.99 Sale Price: $349.99 Availability: Usually ships in 2 to 5 weeks Eligible For Free Shipping 
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Product Description
The Channel Master CM-7000PAL is the first DVR box offered by Channel Master. We are extremely excited to be bringing this innovative product to the market which is sure to enhance your TV viewing experience. With this unit you can view and record local over-the-air digital broadcasts. With the DVR you can pause, fast forward and rewind your programs, you can even use the slow motion feature to watch clips frame by frame. The DVR offers an electronic program guide which allows you to pre-set recording schedules so you never miss your favorite shows. Unlike many other DVR set top boxes, there are NO monthly subscription fees. This unit includes an infrared remote control which operates the CM-7000PAL DVR and up to three other components. This unit will be available in April and can be pre-ordered at www.ChannelMasterStore.com
Details
- View and record local over-the-air digital broadcast
- Record up to 130 hours of SD content or up to 30 hours of HD content
- Pausing, fast forward and rewind functions
- Electronic programming guide
- No subscription fees
Rating
I have been using this product for about three weeks. Free TV – what a concept! I have all of the features and benefits of the old Comcast equipment (less a couple of cable-only channels I used to watch) and I am saving $80+ per month. In about 6 months, I will have paid for the DVR as well as the external power antenna (Philips SDV2940/27), antenna mast, and coaxial cable in about 6 months. PBS has some of the best stuff on TV and its FREE! This time next year, I wil have $500 extra in my pocket – maybe I’ll buy a nice HD TV set
Rating
Since other reviewers have already covered most of the capabilities of this box, I am going to focus my review on the actual setup and use of this DVR.
Intended use:
I used to have a Channel Master CM-7000 (rated best DTA by consumer reports) so I can watch free broadcast programming. When I want to record a program, I had to run the CM-7000 to a DVD recorder that I had, recording to a RAM disk which effected acted like a very small hard disk (2-4 hours of recording). Well, I tried to record one of the World Cup matches, and the replay quality just wasn’t that great, so I decided to run to the store and get this DVR. This DVR replaces 2 devices (the original CM-7000 DTA and the DVD recorder), thus saving space in my entertainment center, plugs, reduces cabling, etc.
Setup:
Physical setup was a snap (I used component cable since the HDMI port on my TV was already used for the Blu-Ray player). Upon powering up the DVR, it went immediately to the setup wizard, which walks you thru setting up the date, timezone, and zip code (for the program guide). It also scans for all the channels available. I did make a mistake in setting up my timezone, so the DVR popped up a screen suggesting the correct setting on timezone, which I accepted — what a nice feature or I might have been missing the shows I really wanted recorded because of the wrong time.
Guide:
The channel guide is an improvement. You can see upcoming programs for several channels at the same time and for up to 1 week. Note that you can set the text size for the channel guide to make it easier on the eyes or to squeeze more information onto the screen.
TV Watching:
Watching TV on this is great. The CM-7000 DTA that I previously used was only standard definition as required by the government coupon program. With this DVR you get high definition video…what a difference! As other reviewers pointed out, you can watch TV (any channel you want) while the DVR is recording another channel.
DVR functions:
Setting up a recording can’t be easier. Without even reading the user manual, I was able to go to the program guide, select a program I wanted recorded, and I am done. This box will actually record 2 programs at the same time, which is an absolute necessity. For example, I was able to record 2 sports programs (can’t watch them because I had to go to work) that were broadcast at the same time. I am looking forward to when I get off work and can go back to watch each game, fast forward through the commercials, half time, etc. Contrary to people who have cable or satellite and claim that there are no good shows on broadcast TV, I think there are good programming to watch off the free broadcast stations. The issue is more with when the programming are broadcast and when you have time to watch. A DVR solves this problem. In fact, with the big capacity hard drive included, I intend to record a number of good family/children’s videos so that when our children have their friends over, instead of popping in a DVD/Blu-ray disc, I can just play from what’s been recorded.
Another feature of the DVR is called “time-shifting”. This may sound like a fancy word, but so easy to use. While you are watching TV, just press “pause” if you have to answer the phone, doorbell, run to the stove because food is burning, etc. When you are ready to resume, just press “play” and the program you were watching continues right from the spot where you had paused it, so you miss nothing. Then when you get to a commercial, just fast forward it!
Conclusion:
This DVR has added to my TV viewing features such as high definition video, ability to record multiple programs “simultaneously” to later watch at a more convenient hour, capability of time-shifting, and also serve as a video vault. Until getting this DVR, we were mostly watching DVDs and internet video on our TV. Now watching live (actually ‘recorded’) TV is fun again.
Update 9/7/2010:
We’ve been able to teach our 6-year old to operate the DVR himself (not sure that this is a good idea from an educational perspective!), so now he does not need to bug us for watching his shows.
Rating
I purchased though Amazon.com and seller shipped using 2 days shipping instead of ground shipping.
This CM-700PAL is for only persons using outdoor or indoor antenna for local TV channel only.
Very clear picture and very easy to use, also remote control have very strong signal to control devise.
Fast forward and play controls are very easy.
Automatically update the software if connect to ethernet.
Able to set to record once, weekly or Monday though Friday.
Only cons are can not set to record program for series criteria and unable to customize the TV guide.
Some TV program run every other week or once a month there for it should be able set to record by series criteria.
Our area have over 90 channels, there for it should be able to customize TV guide to find channel or program easily.
They need to upgrade the software to solve this problem.
I strongly recommend this product to those who watch only local TV and do not want pay monthly fee.
Rating
As a business owner, I have been using this DVR as a Demo for over a month now. It is the same box that DISH Network and Direct TV use for their services. Yes, Channel Master manufactures all of their dishes and hardware.
Bottom line; if you are tired of paying for satellite or cable this box is an economical solution if you can live without the channels you will pay for in monthly fees. I can only think of three channels remotely worth a subscription. In short this is a great solution to paying subscription fees and the quality of over the HDTV is better than satellite and cable. The box pays for itself in several months.
Rating
It works as expected. Just recently I upgraded my entertainment center. Retired the old VCR and CRT TV. Both units needed a digital converter to receive a signal. I’m using “Rabbit Ears” (OTA) to receive a TV signal. Time shifting a program was no easy task (setting VCR and CONVERTER) and many times I recorded the wrong show, very frustrating. Non of that with the new Channel Master CM-7000PAL. I never used TiVo (did not like the monthly charge and I do not subscribe to a cable service).
What I like:
Digital quality in all formats up to 1080i (uncompressed to a Hard-drive). I can record 2 different channels at the same time while watching a previously recorded show. A very nice feature is that you can watch a show that is still recording. For example, recording started at 7pm and you arrive at home at 7:45, the show is not finished until 9pm. With a VCR I had to wait until the recording was finished before I could rewind and start watching from the beginning, with the 7000PAL I can start watching at any time from the beginning and fast forward through the commercials. Build in Program guide makes it very easy to select a recording.
The Remote control took a bit getting used to, the buttons seemed like they are unorganized however after using it for a month it becomes second nature and the most used buttons (play , pause, fast forward and back) are well within thumbs reach, their slight differences in profile makes them easy to recognize without looking. Now I like it.
There are many other things one can do with this recorder but I have not the need nor the time to study the manual.
What I miss:
How can i keep a recorded show on a transportable media ( DVD or USB stick), I guess I can still send it to a VCR since the 7000Pal does have RCA and HDMI connectors.
Currently this is the only unit that records OTA ( Antenna) and has no monthly surcharges. Good thing is that it does its job well and we know the price will come down as soon as their is more competition.
I highly recommend this unit if your main purpose is Time-Shifting of OTA programs.
It’s easy to use, picture quality is the same as live TV and no monthly charges.
Rating
This unit works just like the DVR that comes with DishNetwork. In fact, the remote is exactly the same. The program guide is great. Super easy to record. I just wish it would allow to save to an external drive but I’m sure the MPAA would never go for such a thing.
Rating
Finally don’t have to have pay fees or worry about having a blank dvd to record my tv shows, I am so happy I purchased this item. Easy to hook up and start recording
Rating
This receiver has better sensitivity compared to my last HDTV receiver that I had. It is easy to setup timers. The menus to watch recordings has more levels than I would like but that is a minor annoyance. I love to be able to skip through the commercials (30 sec forward at a time) and backup (10 sec at a time) easily. Picture is exactly the same as you would see live. I have it hooked up via component video to my older rear projection TV so I can’t comment on the HDMI connection.
The delivery was quick and everything worked as advertised.
Rating
I’ll admit that I am one of those people who jump right in without reading the manual, then I screw it up, then I read the manual to figure out why it did not work the way my mind thought it should.
So…
It was simple to hook up.
It was simple to get started.
It was simple to record and watch shows.
I had a bear of a time figuring out how to program the remote (the numbering in the manual is wrong and I was banging my head against the wall trying to figure out what happened to number 7 (you have to pretend the numbers keep going). By the way, once you figure out the number sequence just is not right, programming the remote was SIMPLE.
Operationally I’ve only had two problems. The first is the Analog Pass Through button. Don’t hit it. There are no analog stations in most areas and if you hit this button, well, you go blank, and if you don’t know that you hit this button, it can take you (ok, me) a while to figure it out.
Next, if you are not familiar with the setup menu on your TV, be careful about hitting your remote buttons while in a darkened room. I must have hit the TV control button on the remote, and clicked menu. Next thing I know, I have “no signal” on my screen. This was not CM fault – it was mine. Again, you want to get very used to the buttons before operating without a light.
Anyway – this thing is almost as easy to use as a TIVO, I don’t like that the schedule in my area (Fort Lauderdale) has so many “local programming no information available” items, but I use the TV Guide Iphone Application to find what I want to watch and on Sunday make any changes to my schedule that I want.
In short – I love this thing and am canceling my TiVo this week.
Rating
This is the version from Channel Masters and comes with a one-year warranty for parts and labor, not just 90 days like the previous version: I am reading this right in the manual.
I love this thing especially because the remote and on-screeen menus are just like Dish (which I am about to cancel after seven great years with the same SD DVR). I found myself watching less TV and when I got a 1080p LCD last year I stuck a $29 antenna on my roof and pulled in excellent quality video and tons of channels. I am lucky to live in a nice spot south of San Francisco where the over the air reception is excellent. All that was missing was the ability to pause/rewind/ff and record.
Here are my setup notes
Unbox finds a remote which is just like our current dish dvr remote but black with wired AC cable, quick start guide, and manual.
Connect power, antenna, HDMI, and power on tv
On screen menu was waiting for me to click continue to scan for channels
Scan found 69 channels
Asked to select time zone and whether DST is observed. Click next.
“Acquiring time”. Found date and time perfectly after 10 seconds
Asked me to choose “HD type” choices were 480p, 720p, and 1080i
Choose “aspect ratio” of 16×9 or 4×3
Asked for aspect ratio of my SD output 16×9 or 4×3
(I had to toggle through the “p-size” selection on my Samsung LCD because the menu was one-third off the left side of the screen. This was because someone in my house had previously set the tv to stretch SD. Easily corrected with my LCD remote so no problem)
Asked for zip code for electronic program guide
EPG download completes in less than one minute (later I found the EPG only had about 10 hours in the future but I read later it will eventually show a seven-day schedule)
I am now watching and recording HD OTA, with skip ahead and skip back and pause buttons
Can browse full program schedule with guide and banner just like Dish. Atenna pass through means I can record on the DVR while using my TV tuner to watch live TV. Of course you can also play back a recorded show while recording another.
I have a feeling I will be buying another one of these for the bedroom, and buying from Amazon of course.